Second Chance SEAL(4)

He was a Navy SEAL. That was impressive all by itself. He clearly wasn’t some empty-headed soldier, since you couldn’t be stupid and still become a SEAL. They had incredibly high standards for the SEALs, and I knew that only the best of the best could become one. They went through some serious training, and I believed him when he said that he knew some things that would impress me.

I couldn’t think about that as I got dressed. I headed over to Lauren’s room around seven and the marathon morning of hair and makeup began.

It was a total whirlwind. Lauren’s relatives were coming and going and the other bridesmaids were busy making jokes and laughing about who they were going to sleep with. We started drinking around ten, and although I limited myself to one glass of champagne, the other girls were pretty tipsy by the time the ceremony came around.

I had to admit, it was gorgeous. For all my mental complaining about destination weddings, and how much I dreaded it all, I was incredibly impressed. More people showed up than I would have guessed, and every chair was taken as everyone gathered out on the beach. The sand was perfect, smooth, and white, and the waves lapped against the shore in a gentle rhythm.

I liked her almost-husband, Greg. He was a soldier, too, and a really good guy. I’d never seen someone so devoted to someone else before, and although Greg could be a hothead at times, I really did like him. I knew they were a good match.

I stood next to Lauren just before everything about to begin. I smiled at her.

“Ready?” I asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“No second thoughts?”

She laughed. “More like fifth and sixth thoughts.”

“Please don’t run away.”

“I won’t. I’m going to marry that man.”

“Good.” I smiled at her. “See you out there.”

I hurried to my place, and everything began.

Greg looked nervous, but that was to be expected. I couldn’t pay much attention to him, though, since I kept stealing glances at Gates.

He was wearing his dress uniform, and he looked so damn handsome. He kept looking at me, smiling at me, and I kept looking away. I couldn’t get too distracted by that asshole, even if I wanted to. Still, in that uniform, I knew Gates could get any girl he wanted. And for some reason, he kept looking at me.

Soon, Lauren walked down the aisle, and the priest started in with the ceremony. It was really lovely, short but perfect. I had to admit, I had tears in my eyes when they kissed.

Everything felt like a blur, it just happened so fast. The beautiful beach, the beautiful people, the beautiful ceremony, it was all just so perfect. I couldn’t believe it, but I was actually becoming a destination wedding convert right there that afternoon.

Eventually, the ceremony ended, and the guests began to head back toward the hotel for the reception.

“Picture time!” Lauren announced, grabbing my hand. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the beach. Greg and Gates are going to join us.”

“Oh,” I said. “Gates?”

“Of course. You’re the maid of honor and he’s the best man. You have to get pictures together.”

“Right. Obviously.”

Lauren gave me a look. “You okay, Pipes?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I gave her my best weather girl fake smile. “I’m just so happy for you.”

She looked at me for a second, and I knew she saw right through me. “Come on,” she said, choosing not to push. “Let’s go.”

She took my arm and I followed her along, relieved that we didn’t have to have that conversation. It was her wedding, anyway, and I didn’t want to be another issue that she had to deal with.

The photographer was standing with Gates and Greg. The two boys looked handsome, though Gates was two inches taller, much broader, and just looked more rugged, despite the dress uniform. Lauren deposited me next to him, and the photographer began to position us.

“Nice ceremony,” I said to Gates. “You did a good job.”

“Thanks,” he grunted. “Didn’t have much to do, though.”

“You stood there. That’s pretty much all you had to do.”

“Stand there and look pretty. I can do that.”

I smiled at him. The photographer pushed the two of us closer, and he smirked at me as he took my waist and pulled me against him. I bit my lip slightly as his body pressed against mine, and I prayed that my cheeks weren’t as red as I thought they were.

The photographer started to take pictures.

“Have you been thinking about this?” Gates whispered in my ear.

“About taking pictures? Constantly.”